The Cyprus Issue

An observation over the Cyprus issue/problem, its milestones, recent talks/actions taken out regarding the problem, Besides this, its membership in European Union and finally observation of Turkey and Greece relations since the two nations have population in Cyprus.

The Cyprus problem stanches from the question of how to share power and dominance between the two politically equal communities of Cyprus: The Greek Cypriots with 640,000 inhabitants and Turkish Cypriots with 88,000 inhabitants back in 1998. Cyprus is the home of the two mentioned nations and there exists two democratically organized states within this island.

The Island was declared as the Republic of Cyprus through the three treaties (1. Treaty of Establishment, 2. Treaty of Guarantor and 3. Treaty of Alliance) in August 16, 1960. Turkey, Greece and colonial power, Britain – were decided to act as guarantors of the Republic of Cyprus. These three powers were chosen to avoid the upcoming conflicts between the two sides (the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots). Although the long lasting conflicts between the two sides have been never solved within the Cyprus history and remains till today.

To look at the membership status of Cyprus in EU, it made its application for European Union membership in 1990 and it joined the EU in May 1st, 2004. Meanwhile, there were important efforts by the United Nation and the European Union to find a solution for the ongoing conflictual relations inside the Island. As an example, the Annan Plan was the UN’s most concerted and detailed attempt to reach a federal solution to the Cyprus problem starting from 2002 to 2004. The plan attracted support from much of the international community since it was named after the UN secretary-general, Kofi Annan. During a referendum, the Annan Plan asked the both communities to vote whether they vote for unification or not, the plan was accepted by the Turkish Cypriots with 65% while it was rejected by the Greek Cypriots with 76% leaving the Greek Cypriot side to enter the EU on its own.

The plan was focusing to provide solution for the following problems:

The property issue: The dispute over property ownership has been going on for years, because it remains largely due to the fact that immigration of Turkish Cypriots residing in the south into the northern parts and Greek Cypriots living in the north to the southern parts of the island.

The Bizonality: After the inter-communal violence in the years leading up to the division of the island, Turkish Cypriots suffer as a minority in a Greek-dominated state. They wanted to align their federal government with Greece. While Greek Cypriots consider Cyprus as an Island belonging to them only.

As another example of efforts, the Geneva Talks - despite the parliamentary talks in Geneva in 2017, the leaders have not been able to find a solution to the problem that could be satisfactory for the both sides.

In term of Turkey, Cyprus and Greek relations – this brief story is considered the most remarkable one: within the last half century, Greece and Turkey have disputes over a range of issues. The consideration of stake/part by both countries in the island has been perceived to be so high that both sides have periodically threatened eachother using force to protect their individual interests. Indeed, both resorted to arms in Cyprus. Greece initiated a coup against the Makarios (who was the president of Cyprus on that time) and against his regime. Turkey, in reaction, intervened with military to keep the island from being controlled by Athens. This incident is a perfect example in Greek-Turkish relations.

Although some efforts have been made by international community in term of Turkey’s military expalsion from Northern Cyprus, but in response to these efforts, Turkey’s president declared that Turkish troops will be in Cyprus forever and withdrawal of Turkish troops will happen only in case when Greek would also to do the same.

To conclude - besides many efforts and negotiations in order to solve the Cyprus issue, it still remains unsolved. Of course it is difficult to suggest a specific solution for such a long lasting conflict but since a kind of misstrust is seen in Cyprus problem existing among the both sides since years, the trust building between both Turkey and Greece as guarantors and the support and high contribution by Britain as both a guaranter and a mediator is recommended in order to help Cyprus find peace and prosperity after centuries of problems and victimism of the innocent people. Untill the issue remains unsolved, the barrier towards Turkeys membership to EU will also not be taken out of its way. it already prohibits the completion or closure of eight chapters of accession of Turkey towards full membership in European Union.

View expressed in this article are of the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Pajhwok’s editorial policy.